Proton Saga: Old vs New - Is the icon better than ever?

KUALA LUMPUR: The Proton Saga has been a symbol of affordable mobility in Malaysia since its debut in 1985. It is one of the top-selling A-segment sedans in the country, with more than 2 million units sold over the last 40 years. While this iconic sedan has gone through three generations, with upgrades in safety, design, performance, and technology over these years, it’s now time for a re-imagined version to take the lead. 

The all-new Saga Reimaged represents the brand’s next chapter in sedan legacy and captures the true essence of an I.C.O.N., where I stands for impressive performance, C stands for comprehensive safety, O stands for optimised intelligence, and N stands for next-gen style. 

Bookings for the new Proton Saga are now open, with indicative pricing ranging between RM 40k and RM 50k. For prospective buyers looking to purchase the upgraded model, here we bring a closer look at the key differences between the old and new versions to know what makes the new Saga a more compelling choice in the segment.

Platform 

The new Saga is built on a heavily revised version of the older model’s platform, called Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA). This flexible, scalable, and future-ready foundation meets global standards for safety, emissions, and performance. It features cutting-edge electronic architecture for next-generation intelligent features.

Proton fully owns the platform’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), which it says will open doors to more collaboration within the Geely Group and potentially turn Malaysia into an engineering hub for upcoming projects.

Exterior

Starting with the exterior, where you can notice a pretty remarkable difference between the new and old models. The latest model has a contemporary and distinctive visual identity as compared to the softer and more conservative predecessor. Here’s a detailed comparison - 

Specs	Old Proton Saga	New Proton Saga
Front	“Infinite Weave” grille with Proton’s round logo Air intake openings in the front bumper Halogen reflector headlamps LED daytime running lights	Full‑width concave grille with ‘Sulaman Songket’ motif and black pin inserts Lower bumper intake with a slimmer full-width opening Simplified air intake design  LED auto headlamps with follow-me-home and levelling function New DRLs integrated into the headlight cluster
Rear	Wrap-around tail lights connected by a thin chrome garnish Simple rear bumper Boot lid spoiler	Full-width LED light bar linking the tail lights, with “PROTON” script on boot Re-profiled rear bumper with diffuser-like elements Ducktail lip spoiler
Wheels	15-inch alloy wheels (14-inch as standard)	New 15-inch eight-spoke alloy wheels with a two-tone finish on the top-spec (14-inch as standard)

Colour options 

Old Proton Saga	New Proton Saga
Ruby Red, Jet Grey, Armour Silver, Rosewood Maroon, and Snow White	Ruby Red, Armour Silver, Snow White, Marine Blue (new) and Space Grey (new)

Interior

Compared to the outgoing model, the cabin of the new Saga looks cleaner with a more horizontal dashboard layout. Here’s a comparison of the features in the top-spec variants.

Specs	Old Proton Saga	New Proton Saga
Infotainment unit	7.0-inch touchscreen unit	9-inch touchscreen unit supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Instrument cluster	LCD multi-info display	7-inch digital instrument display
Upholstery	Semi leatherette with fabric	Faux leather
USB ports	One front and two rear	One front and two rear
Voice assistant	NA	“Hi Proton” voice control
Speakers	4	4
Air conditioning	Manual	Manual

Engine 

The new Saga now features a new 1.5-litre i-GT (Intelligent Green Technology) engine paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission, replacing the 1.3-litre unit. The new engine is more refined and promises to deliver smooth, efficient, and confident performance with impressive fuel consumption (rated at 4.9 litres per 100 km). The engine is now paired with an Electric Power Steering for improved manoeuvrability.

Specs	Old Proton Saga	New Proton Saga
Engine	1.3 litre four-cylinder NA DOHC VVT	i-GT 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit
Power	95 PS at 5,750 rpm	120 PS at 6,100 rpm
Torque	120 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm	150 Nm of torque between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm
Transmission	5-Speed Manual/4-Speed Automatic	Continuously Variable Transmission

Safety 

Based on Proton’s Reinforced Safety Structure with Hot Press Forming components, the new Saga offers superior rigidity and protection. In terms of safety features, it sees a big upgrade with the inclusion of Level 1 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). 

Specs	Old Proton Saga	New Proton Saga
Airbags	2 airbags	6 airbags (2 as standard)
Reverse camera	Yes	Yes
Parking sensors	2 front, 2 rear	2 front, 2 rear
Advanced Driver Assistance System	NA	Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Collision Warning, Door Opening Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent High Beam Control, and Front Departure Alert

Overall, the all-new 2026 Proton Saga delivers class-leading safety, intelligence, and refinement, setting new benchmarks in Malaysia’s A-segment sedan category.  Now, all eyes are on the final piece of the puzzle, the price. Stay tuned!

Also read: Proton e.MAS 5: Variants explained: Prime vs Premium – Which one should you choose?